EarthCode tackles the critical challenge of tree identification and monitoring within the global carbon offset markets, where inefficiencies and inaccuracies hinder the ability to track forest contributions to climate mitigation. Traditional tagging methods, such as RFID and physical tags, are expensive, invasive, and environmentally damaging, posing barriers to small forest owners who collectively manage over 30% of the world’s forests. Many of these owners are excluded from carbon credit systems due to high costs and complex procedures. By introducing a non-invasive, digital approach, EarthCode addresses the gap between small-scale forest management and global carbon accountability, promoting transparency, sustainability, and inclusivity in environmental markets.
EarthCode is an innovative system designed to transform tree monitoring and management for carbon offset markets. Developed during the MA/MSc Innovation Design Engineering program at the Royal College of Art and Imperial College London, it introduces a tag-free, non-invasive solution for identifying and tracking trees using advanced LiDAR and AI technologies.
The core of EarthCode is the creation of “Bark-Codes,” digital fingerprints unique to each tree. These codes are derived from detailed scans of a tree’s bark, capturing its morphological features with sub-millimeter accuracy. By replacing physical tags with digital identifiers, EarthCode reduces environmental impact, lowers costs, and simplifies tree monitoring processes.
The project comprises two main elements:
• LiDAR Scanner: A handheld device that captures morphological data with an accuracy of approximately 0.05 mm and a resolution of 0.07 mm.
• Mobile Application: A platform for managing and analyzing tree data, converting it into actionable insights for forest management and carbon credit verification.
EarthCode’s primary beneficiaries are small forest owners, who collectively manage an estimated 1.7 billion hectares of forest worldwide. These stakeholders often lack access to expensive, traditional tagging systems, limiting their participation in carbon markets. EarthCode democratizes this process, enabling smallholders to contribute meaningfully to climate action while benefiting economically.
Learn more: https://hanjuseo.com/EarthCode-contents-details
Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsUK5WnsnvI
